Russell Johnson of ‘Gilligan’s Island’ fame passes away

Published 1:29 pm Thursday, January 16, 2014

Russell Johnson, a Bainbridge Island resident who gained worldwide fame as the Professor on the television show “Gilligan’s Island,” has died, ABC News reported Thursday.

ABC News said the 89-year-old actor died early Thursday of kidney failure.

“He died at home, peaceful, in his sleep at 5:21 a.m. today,” his wife Constance told ABC News. “[He was] a very brave guy who knew what he wanted, and he wanted to be at home.”